AAP Talks Managing Sickness in Sports

Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva

A physician and healthcare executive with more than three decades of experience, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva has served in numerous medical positions in his career, including roles as a clinician, administrator, educator, and researcher. In his current position, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva serves as the associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a position he has held since 2012.

The AAP has released guidance for coaches and other high school sports personnel to follow in order to cut down on the risk of illnesses spread in schools. These include diseases transmitted through skin contact, such as the MRSA virus, herpes simplex, scabies, and athlete’s foot. Additionally, airborne illnesses such as chickenpox can be spread in locker rooms.

Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to curtail the risk of spreading illnesses is to encourage good hygiene in athletes. Uniforms should be washed regularly, and teammates shouldn’t share drinks or personal hygiene products like deodorant or razors. Athletic staff members should develop a regular cleaning routine for sports equipment and keep a keen eye out for blood, excessive sweat, or other body fluids that can contaminate it.